The BCCI on Saturday (January 3) threw Mustafizur Rahman out of IPL 2026 and he won’t be allowed to take part in the T20 league. The left-arm pacer was slated to play for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the 19th edition of the T20 league. The franchise spent a huge sum of Rs 9.20 crore to acquire his services. Now that the BCCI has taken stern action against a Bangladeshi cricketer following attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh, will the board also bar Bangladesh players from playing their 2026 T20 World Cup matches in India?
Speaking to The Indian Express, a BCCI official said that Bangladesh will play their scheduled T20 WC matches in India. “We didn’t travel to Bangladesh last year too, BCB had issued their international calendar, but it looks doubtful, as we need Indian government approval to play in any other country. As far as the T20I World Cup is concerned, Bangladesh will play as per the scheduled games in India,” a top BCCI official said.
Bangladesh are scheduled to play all their league stage matches in India. They are scheduled to play their first three league stage matches against West Indies, Italy and England on February 7, 9 and 14, respectively, at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
They will travel to Mumbai for their last league stage game against Nepal on February 17. Bangladesh haven’t travelled to India since the bilateral series which took place in September-October 2024.
KKR react to Mustafizur Rahman’s ouster
Kolkata Knight Riders broke their silence after Mustafizur Rahman’s ouster from IPL and released a statement. “Kolkata Knight Riders confirms that BCCI/IPL as the regulator of IPL has instructed it to release Mustafizur Rahman from the squad ahead of the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season. The release has been carried out following due process and consultations, upon the instruction of the Board of Control of Cricket in India. BCCI will allow Kolkata Knight Riders a replacement player in line with IPL regulations, and further details will be communicated in due course,” the three-time IPL Champions wrote. KKR will be allowed to sign a replacement player.
